Director Earl Nettnin (Desert Rats) called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a moment of silence for the sick and departed was observed. Guests present were: Angie Niebuhr (Forest Service); Darren Jungmayer (Skookumchuck Mud Daubers Region 2); three members of the new club Yakima Kittitas ORV Trail Watch (Clay Graham, Hank Graham and Kathy Goss; joined us and presented their paper work to join the PNW4WDA in Region 4.

MINUTES: Randy Hayes (Sand Commandos) made a motion seconded by Doug Conner (Roamin’ Chariots) to accept the July minutes as printed. Motion passed.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Was given by Treasurer, Sande Nettnin (Desert Rats). Sande asked for a motion to pay Frank Remley $204.00 that he spent for items for door prizes for the raffle for Pick Up A Mountain. Doug Conner (Roamin’ Chariots) made the motion that we pay the $204.00 seconded by Randy Hayes (Sand Commandos). Motion passed. A bill will be coming from the COMP committee for t-shirts for the Region 4 race team. We approved this expense in June.

COMP REPORT: Summer Convention will be August 13-15, 2010 in Ethel, WA. Nominations were opened for Region 4 COMP Chairman. Kevin and Terri Mohan were nominated as Co-Chairmen. Doug Conner (Roamin’ Chariots) made a motion to cast a unanimous ballot for Kevin and Terri Mohan as Region 4 COMP Co-Chairmen, seconded by Randy Hayes (Sand Commandos). Motion passed.

MEMBERSHIP: Paper work was submitted by the new club called Yakima Kittitas ORV Trail Watch. The secretary will forward all the paper work to the PNW Treasurer Dave McMains (Hurtin Units & Sand Commandos). After the Treasurer checks to be sure that everything is in order, dues can be paid and we can vote them into membership.

CLUB POWER/WE DID IT: Be sure to turn in forms to our Club Power/We Did It person Gary Harting (Desert Rats). Awards have been rather slow in coming because our PNW Chairman Beth Ayer (Wolf Pack 4X4) was having some organizational problems as well as a wedding. Frank Remley (Shindig Wheelers) asked if there could be a column on the paper work for Club Power/We Did It that stated they didn’t want to receive a nail head or star. Frank was told that on the new forms two columns have been added; one that says NO AWARD and one that asks for miles driven one way.

FUTURE 4-WHEELERS: Gloria Joralemon (Shindig Wheelers) said we have seven kids signed up so far. They have received a pin and the ones who helped at Trail Jamboree received a special certificate and a pen. If you have any children who want to get involved in Future 4-Wheelers contact Gloria Joralemon at 509-697-9595 to get signed up.

WEB SITE: Still a work in progress.

PR: Kelda Hagemeier (Shindig Wheelers & PR Chairman) said if you want her to advertise an event or you need information sent out please contact her and she will take care of it; 509-698-3703.

LAND MATTERS:
Doug Conner (Roman’ Chariots) reported that Juniper Dunes is still open for OHV use but that may change if conditions require it. Also there had been a fire out there this past weekend. There is currently a campfire ban on some BLM lands in Washington.

Naches – Angie Niebuhr (Forest Service) gave a report on the South Fork Tieton Bull Trout Habitat/Access Restoration Project. There are several trail closures in the area due to putting in bridges; the original plan was for 2 bridges and it has now become 7. Angie said some volunteer help is needed so if you would like to help contact her at aniebuhr@fs.fed.us or 509-653-1438. Lots of discussion followed and questions were asked about where the funds came from. Originally funds were available only for 2 bridges. Apparently money came from Title II Funds. Sam Bissell (Retired Forest Service) has been hired to oversee the work on the 7 bridges. Volunteer hours working on trails or attending TWIG meetings should be turned in to either Angie Niebuhr or Sue Ranger. A question was asked as to how soon we would be able to use these trails and Angie said she hoped it would be before November, but things were taking longer than they had expected. Angie also said she would love to have our help building the Spruce Creek Bridge, so if you are interested call her and get things set up.

Roger Brittain (Shindig Wheelers) reported that he had been informed that there is a potential logging contract going to be in the Glass Creek area that basically will destroy the whole Glass Creek Jeep Trail. Angie Niebuhr said that Sue Ranger is aware of this, so any questions should be addressed to her. We need to be sure that we are all on the mailing list so we can write letters when the scoping information comes out; we need to let them know that we do not want our Jeep trail destroyed. Earl Nettnin Region Director will contact Sue Ranger for information and report back to everyone.
Earl asked a question on the Travel Management Plan abut the Naches Trail on the map as being a motor cycle trail only. Angie said she would check it out and she assured us that it would never be a single track trail.

William Rutherford (Jeepin’ Nomads) was interested in knowing if we could have some kind of binding agreements with the Forest Service Districts that they would not close X amount of trails at certain times to do maintenance, therefore, keeps the resources open for people to utilize and also supports management progress and work preservation. Lots of discussion followed on this with no resolution. The biggest thing we have going is letter writing which at this time seems to be our best option. Re-opening of the Little Rattlesnake Trail is a prime example of our letter writing efforts.

Ahtanum Trail Watch – Clay Graham (All Wheelers) said there were no serious problems at this time. However, we were asked if we saw people hauling wood, check and see that they had a permit.

Ahtanum – Ron Rutherford (Jeepin’ Nomads) reported Greg Mackey (DNR) said that the All Wheelers were going to do a project next month on some drainage on the 613 trail. The old cabin on Nasty Creek Flats is up for demolition again, he didn’t know if they were going to burn or bury it. Greg said they need some kind of 4-wheel drive to help them with their E & E program and wondered if they might have some help trying to get grants to cover it; also they were getting information on a small dozer to do trail maintenance for use on Jeep trails kind of like the one the Forest Service has. Greg said that Ken McNamee (DNR) had given them the OK to look into it. Ron offered to help look for some grant funds since he had some experience doing this. Greg also said that they appreciated all the help from the Cascade Quad Squad on the Gray Rock Trail as well as the others who helped. Ron said they may need our help with some other small projects coming up in the future.

Rock Crawl: Nothing new to report. No one had been by there lately to check it out. According to the Yakima paper it will be open this next year. Barry Collins of the Naches Ranger District is the contact. Ron Rutherford (Jeepin’ Nomads) offered to take a look at it this next week.

Ron Rutherford (Jeepin’ Nomads) shared information on Glass Greek in the late 60’s when it was a tough Jeep trail. Two-Thirds of it was logged off in the late 70’s and in the 80’s it was re-established. Everyone agreed it is an interesting trail and we don’t want to lose any of it.

Little Rattlesnake Trail – Sid Hagemeier (Shindig Wheelers) said he had not been on it since Trail Jamboree. There seem to be a lot of complaints on the internet about this trail because it is a tight technical trail with width and length restrictions. Some people seem to want to make a freeway out of it. The Forest Service will be keeping an eye on it, and tickets can and will be written if they catch anyone making any changes to the trail.

Ed Massey (Sand Commandos & Hurtin’ Units) made the comment that the Mosquitoes at the Moses Lake Sand Dunes down by the water seem to be the worst ever. So bring Mosquito repellent.

OLD BUSINESS:
Pick Up A Mountain – Pam Remley (Shindig Wheelers & PUAM Coordinator) said the plaque for Corn Shucking is still MIA. She asked if we still wanted to have one and Al Matson (Ridgerunners) said he thought he knew where we could get another one made up. Al will take care of this. Pam said that the Timberwolves are handing the raffle and tickets will be $1 each and you must be present to win; the Desert Rats are in charge of the pot luck and dinner will be at 6 PM; Gloria Joralemon (Shindig Wheelers and Future 4-Wheelers) will handle the kid’s activities. Pam needs a club to handle the Divorce Course; and Corn Shucking Contest. A motion was made by Ed Massey (Hurtin’ Units & Sand Commandos) seconded by Kelda Hagemeier (Shindig Wheelers) that we purchase items for a pancake breakfast on Sunday morning. Motion passed. If you would like to help with the breakfast contact Pam. Pam said there would be some other very cool surprises this year also. The cost to camp at Jim Sprick Park is $5 a night. T-Shirts are $15 each with sizes 2X and up a dollar more. The color is Cardinal Red and all sponsors will be listed on the back and the PUAM logo will be on the front. This year T-shirts will be available in women’s shirts as well as men’s. You don’t have to pre-order but it would be nice if we could give Pam a ball park figure to work with. Pam also asked each club to donate something for door prizes.
Pam is going to order 100 shirts. Carla Hibbs will be in charge of selling T-shirts at the event. If you have questions call Pam at 509-658-2496 or e-mail mtnrubi76@yahoo.com.

NEW BUSINESS:
We were asked to sign a petition to let the Cadillac Ranch owners know that we support their efforts in trying to keep their ranch open for active outdoor recreation for all ages. They have a great 400 acre facility and have tried to provide a Motocross Track, and a 4X4 section with a variety of events complete with rock crawl etc. It is still an active Dairy Farm, 99% of their neighbors support the ranch and all of the activities, just one wants to shut them down. The PNW has had an event there and thought the facility was great. Thanks to all who signed the petition, hopefully it will do some good toward keeping it open.

Anyone interested in attending the Washington State Trails Coalition on October 22 & 23 at LaQuinta Inn, Tacoma, WA see the Region Director Earl Nettnin for an application.

Nominations were opened for the Most Inspirational person in Region 4. Sid Hagemeier (Shindig Wheelers) was nominated; no further names were nominated, however, nominations will be opened again next month and voted on at the September meeting and the trophy will be presented at PUAM.

CLUB REPORTS:
Desert Rats – had helped Doug Conner (Roamin’ Chariots) when Doug’s father passed away. We cleaned up the yard and hauled several loads to the recycle place and had a big yard sale. We were given all the proceeds of this endeavor with the stipulation that half of it be given to a non-profit group. So the Desert Rats voted to give half to Region 4 to go into their general fund; and a check was presented tonight to the region.
Sand Commandos - working on their haunted house, and some are planning to attend PUAM.
Roamin’ Chariots – have been camping and wheeling with the Jeepin’ Nomads and have some more trips planned with them. They are looking forward to attending the Nomads swap meet September 12th.
Hurtin’ Units - have a run the end of the month called “run what ya brung” camping out of their rigs. Some are planning to attend PUAM; four families have gone to Moab and are there right now; and they are looking forward to their Christmas Dinner which is coming up.
Ridgerunners - attended the Ahtanum clean up on the 24th of July; on the 31st they had an initiation run for a new candidate up at Blue Lake; Al Matson said that the Ridgerunners wanted to thank Sid and Kelda for allowing them to be a part of Trail Jamboree, it was their first time and they really enjoyed it.
Shindig Wheelers – said the Trail Jamboree was fun, they also thanked Sid and Kelda for the job they had done as Co-Chairmen for the first time; they worked at the Nile Valley Days July 17th on the gate and parking vehicles and made lots of money for their club; Sid and Kelda went camping at Rim Rock with the Deschutes gang for a whole week. They have been invited to attend the Timberwolves Poker Run at Long Meadow August 14th and Labor Day they will be at Liberty. Sid added that on their run with the Deschutes group on the 640 trail they had a roll over and were very lucky, however, they did take the driver to the hospital and have him checked out and they were able to drive the rig out.
Jeepin’ Nomads – the end of June they had a camp out in the Rim Rock area with the Roamin’ Chariots; July 5th they had a run up the South Fork of the Ahtanum, July 24th they attended the Ahtanum Clean-up; they did a four day trip in July with five rigs (father & son stag run) had a good time. In mid August they are headed to Tree Phones with the Roamin’ Chariots.
All Wheelers – July 17th they ran the lower Rim Rock Trails; July 21-25 camped at Snow Park and did the clean-up. At the Ahtanum Clean-up 40 people signed in and they logged in 319 hours, lots of garbage was picked up. Clubs in attendance were the Ridgerunners, Jeepin’ Nomads, All Wheelers, Yakima Kittitas ORV Trail Watch, the Outlaws, and Insanity Fab. August 7th they did an Eastern Washington Meet and Greet that they do every year. The 21st of August they plan to go to Clover Springs and run Glass Creek; August 28th a work party is planned on the 613 trail; September 12th they will have a ORV Trail Watch booth at the Nomads’ swap meet, and some plan to attend PUAM.

GOOD OF THE ORDER – Pam Remley (Shindig Wheelers) reported the Morris family had lost their home and son in a house fire; Roger McKeel passed away from a heart attack while in Colorado visiting and helping family. Both families are active and longtime residents in the Chinook Pass Community.
At the Delegates October meeting in Moses Lake we may be able to tour the Sand Commando’s Haunted House.

Rock Crawl: Nothing new to report. No one had been by there lately to check it out. According to the Yakima paper it will be open this next year. Barry Collins of the Naches Ranger District is the contact. Ron Rutherford (Jeepin’ Nomads) offered to take a look at it this next week.

I would be interested to see some pictures of the rock crawl.

Quote:

Originally Posted by raspberry

Little Rattlesnake Trail – Sid Hagemeier (Shindig Wheelers) said he had not been on it since Trail Jamboree. There seem to be a lot of complaints on the internet about this trail because it is a tight technical trail with width and length restrictions. Some people seem to want to make a freeway out of it. The Forest Service will be keeping an eye on it, and tickets can and will be written if they catch anyone making any changes to the trail.

What is the PNW4WDA doing to address these concerns/comments/complaints?